Stress breaker for artificial dentures



Feb. 6, 1962 A. J. DE PIETRO 3,019,528

STRESS BREAKER FOR ARTIFICIAL DENTURES Filed Dec. 1, 1959 IINVENTOR.

ANTHONY'J. DE PIETRO BY ATTORNEYS 3,019,528 STRESS BREAKER FOR ARTIFICIAL DENTURES Anthony J. De Pietro, Springfield, Pa. (1 524 S. Broad St, Philadelphia, Pa.) Filed Dec. 1, 1959, Ser. No. 856,426 3 Claims. (Cl. 32-5) This invention relates generally to artificial dentures, and more particularly to means for securing artificial dentures to the so-called abutment or anchor tooth next adjacent to the end of the denture.

It is known in partial dentures to mount artificial teeth upon a. saddle adapted to seat upon the endentulous area or ridge and to anchor the saddle to a permanent tooth. One of the difiiculties with known arrangements is that when the saddle moves, the permanent or anchor tooth is subject to high stresses, in consequence of which the permanent tooth is loosened and eventually rendered useless. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide improved means for anchoring the denture in operative position in such a manner that the denture is capable of normal movements without imparting stresses to the anchor tooth sufficient to loosen the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide such means having operatively interposed between the saddle and the anchor tooth resilient means which permits the saddle and the teeth carried thereby to move relative to the anchor tooth to a limited degree in any direction without destructively stressing the anchor tooth.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully as the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a section through the lower jaw and its teeth, showing a partial denture overlying an endentulous area to the rear of the first molar;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 1, omitting the artificial teeth;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 of FIG- URE l, omitting the artificial teeth;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged section on line 4-4 of FIG- URE 2, omitting the gum and the artificial teeth; and

FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of the arrangement omitting the artificial teeth.

Referring to the drawing, the lower jaw, designated 10, has permanent teeth indicated by the numerals 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. The tooth 20 is the first molar and to the rear of this molar is a partial denture, generally designated 22, including a saddle 24 made of a suitable plastic material and mounting a second molar 26 and a third molar 28. The undersurfaces of the molars 26 and 28 are grooved to accommodate a tubular member 30 rectangular in transverse section and overlying the saddle 24. The plastic material out of which the saddle 24 is formed is suitably worked around the teeth 26 and 28 and the tubular member 30.

Projecting rearwardly into the tubular member 30 is a shank 32 rectangular in transverse section and permanently embedded or cushioned in resilient rubber or rubber-like material 34 internally lining the tubular member 30. Latex rubber has been found suitable for the purpose intended. A-ffixed to the fore end of the shank 32 is a crosspiece which is T-shaped in transverse section, the web of the crosspiece being designated 38 and the flange being designated 40.

The back of the first molar or anchor tooth 20 is suitably recessed, as at 42, for accommodating an insert consisting of a thin sheet metal part 44 affixed to a rigid 1: ire fitates Patent 3,019,528 Patented Feb. 6, 1962 plate 46, the part 44 and the plate 46 being suitably formed to provide a T-shaped slot 48, which slot slidably detachably receives the crosspiece aforesaid.

The shank 32 is spaced from the side, top and bottom walls of the tubular member 30, in consequence of which the thickness of the lining 34 of resilient material is substantial. Thus the false teeth mounted upon the saddle and the tubular member 30 interposed between the false teeth and the saddle may be turned to a limited degree in either direction about the shank 32, shifted transversely to a limited degree in any direction relative to the shank 32, and rocked vertically or horizontally relative to the shank 32. While the movements aforesaid are limited in degree, they are sufficient to allow the saddle to ride freely upon the endentulous area or ridge and at the same time to take the stress off the anchor tooth, with longer life to the anchor tooth and greater comfort to the patient.

It will be understood, of course, that the present invention is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the general principles or real spirit of the invention. For example, while only one denture has been described and shown, it will be evident that by employing a lingual bar the attachment may include two saddles provided with teeth, the saddles being disposed on opposite sides of the jaw. It will also be evident that while the invention has been described and shown as securing the partial denture to the first molar, the partial denture may be secured to another tooth, for example, the first bicuspid. Still further, it will be evident, that while the invention has been described and shown as of the removable type it could be premanently mounted in the mouth, as by eliminating the T-shaped crosspiece and the insert therefor and by employing instead, a clasp embracing the anchor tooth. Accordingly, it is intended to claim the invention broadly as well as specifically as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an artificial denture, the combination comprising a saddle, false teeth carried by said saddle, a tubular member between said teeth and saddle and embedded in said teeth, a shank projected into said tubular member and adapted for being detachably anchored by one end to a permanent tooth, and a substantially thick layer of rubber-like material internally lining said tubular member and thereby providing a resilient cushion between said tubular member and shank, said shank being permanently embedded in said rubber-like material.

2. In an artificial denture, the combination comprising a saddle, false teeth carried by said saddle, a tubular member between said teeth and saddle and embedded in said teeth, a shank projected into said tubular member, means for securing said shank to a permanent tooth including means at one end of said shank adapted for being detachably slidably fitted into a channel formed in said permanent tooth and extending longitudinally thereof, and a substantially thick layer of rubber-like material internally lining said tubular member and thereby providing a resilient cushion between said tubular member and shank, said shank being permanently embedded in said rubber-like material.

3. In an artificial denture, the combination comprising a saddle, false teeth carried by said saddle, a tubular member rectangular in transverse section between said teeth and saddle and embedded in said teeth, a shank rectangular in transverse section and projected into said tubular member, means for securing said shank References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Supplee Dec. 9, 1919 FOREIGN PATENTS France Dec. 9, 1953 (Addition to No. 1,013,678) 

